AHS BULLDOGS COMMUNITY NEWS
3434 Pheasant Creek Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77498
WELCOME TO AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE BULLDOGS!
Week of February 12
Welcome to Austin High School's Community Newsletter where we share all of the important information, amazing activities, and events occuring on our campus with our BULLDOG Family and community! To our new Freshman Bulldogs and to our returning Sophmores, Juniors and graduating Seniors.... WE WELCOME YOU to the DAWGHOUSE! We are excited about the 2023-2024 school year!
HAPPY COUNSELOR'S APPRECIATION WEEK (February 5th-9th)
We would like to send a huge shout-out to our AMAZING Counselors! We want to wish you all a Happy Counselors' Appreciation Week!
2023-2024 ADMINISTRATORS
Rachel Cortez - Campus Principal
Kyle Lovetinsky - Associate Principal
Assistant Principals
Adaun Udechukwu (A-Ch)
Brent Duvall (Ci-Ja)
Meraj Khan (Jb-Mo)
Dr. Sharon Delesbore (Mu-Sa)
George Long (Sc-Z)
2023-2024 COUNSELORS
Monica Navarro (Lead) (A)
Amanda Wade (B-F)
Julie Masters-Garcia (G-K)
Irvin Casely-Hayford (L-Ng)
Amanda Robinson (Ni-Sh)
Kaley Dean (Si-Z)
CCR-Becky Martinez
AHS Social Worker - Ana R. Siddique
Testing Coordinator- Paige Tomlin Testing Corner
CCR Corner-Becky Martinez
Counselor Corner
Please click the links below to access the counselors newsletter
September: https://www.smore.com/yr5pd
October: https://www.smore.com/gmfhy
November: https://www.smore.com/wzehcj
January: https://www.smore.com/0uwv2
SPRING AP EXAM INFORMATION
**Please note that this email only applies to students who are enrolled in and planning to take the Spring 2024 AP Exam
OR
AP students who previously registered for an AP Exam and wish to cancel **
Spring Course
Spring AP exam payment and registration are now open for students enrolled in Spring AP courses (Semester 2 ONLY).
Students must obtain the join code from your Spring AP course instructor, then make your payment using the Spring Semester AP Exam Course payment link in RevTrak.
Note, each exam is at the standard price $98, or $21 for students who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch.
**Exams must be paid by 11:59 PM on February 23rd.**
No exam changes will be accepted after that date.
Late Exam Orders
Also, if a student missed the regular registration and payment window in the fall, they may still request to take an AP exam. The Late AP Exam payment must first be made via the AHS Late AP Exam Payment Link.
Complete the AHS AP Exam Change/Cancellation Request Link for your request
Remember, there is a $40 late fee applied for each late exam order.
**Exams must be paid by 11:59 PM on February 23rd.**
No exam changes will be accepted after that date.
AP Exam Cancellations
If you wish to cancel your exam, please complete the AHS AP Exam Change/Cancellation Request Link no later than February 23, 2024, at 12 NOON.
No exam changes will be accepted after that date.
For any questions regarding AP Exams or procedures, please contact the AHS AP Coordinator, Irvin Casely-Hayford, Irvin.caselyhayford@fortbendisd.com.
CBE Information
Are you interested in taking a Credit by Exam? Please visit the FBISD website for more information. https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/296.
Session 2 CBE registration window is January 5-12, 2024. See your counselor for more information.
Gifted and Talented Newsletter
Topic: Gifted and Talented Parent Newsletter – January
From: Gifted and Talented, Laurie.Westphal@fortbendisd.com
Due Date: January 12, 2024
Description: The January Edition of the Gifted and Talented newsletter is now available.
Links: https://www.smore.com/8pjwf
Upcoming Campus Events & Activities
February 16 Professional Learning Day/ No students
February 27 Spring Open House
March 11-15 Spring Break
EVERYTHING SENIOR CRAZE!
May 4- Prom @ House of Blues: 7-11pm
May 7-Senior Awards @6pm
May 17-Pro Grad & Senior Sunset
May 25- Graduation @11am (EpiCenter)
23-24 FBISD EXEMPTION CRITERIA
FALL AND SPRING CRITERIA-MAIN POINTS
- No more than 8 absences for EACH semester
- 3 tardies equals 1 absence for exemption purposes
- Must have a semester average of 80% or above for the semester in the course
- No removals to DAEP/JJAEP during the current school year
- No outstanding fines or fees
- Must have met the minimum standard on the EOC exam for the course eligible
All other criteria are grade level specific, please review the document below or you can refer to the 23-24 Student Parent handbook on page 66. The link is embedded below for your reference.
James Reese Upcoming Events 2024
HOUSE BILL 114-NEW VAPING LAW
Dear FBISD parents and guardians,
On September 1, 2023, House Bill 114 (HB 114), will go into effect to address the serious issue of vaping/e-cigarette use among students. Under this law, any student found in possession of any kind of vaping/e-cigarette device on a campus or at a school-related activity including bus transportation, will face disciplinary consequences including a placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)*.
FBISD assures you that the district is committed to providing a supportive climate and safe learning environment that promotes students in accepting responsibility for their learning and behavior.
To be proactive, here are the ways your student might be impacted by the new law:
- If your student possesses an e-cigarette (even if it contains nothing) or any component, part or accessory for any vaping device while on school grounds or at a school-related event, they will be recommended for a mandatory placement in DAEP.
- When receiving disciplinary consequences for this offense, your student is not able to participate in any school activities. Furthermore, they may face removal from specific student clubs or organizations as stipulated by each organization's rules and regulations.
- Students with offenses that qualify for DAEP placement are not eligible for final exam exemptions for that school year.
Please speak with your student about the dangers of vaping and the new law. If your student is struggling with substance abuse, including vaping addiction or peer pressure to engage in these activities, FBISD counseling services are available to provide supports and resources to address such challenges.
As partners, FBISD and parents can work together to ensure student success. Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your campus directly.
* Based on DAEP program capacity, students may be placed in a campus-based discipline program.
DAWG PRIDE NEWS: Staff Recognition
Teacher of the month-Ms. Rives
Paraprofessional of the month-Ms. Calkins
Custodian of the month-Ms. Lorenzana
STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM
DAWGS LEADING THE PACK
Please help us with congratulating the following DAWGS who have been recognized by their peers, teachers or staff for demonstrating the DAWG qualities. We look forward to recognizing many DAWGS this year.
FRESHMAN DAWG OF THE WEEK
SOPHOMORE DAWG OF THE WEEK
JUNIOR DAWG OF THE WEEK
SENIOR DAWG OF THE WEEK
AMAZING MOMENTS
SWIM & DIVE SUCCESS
Congrats to your Bulldog swim and dive team for their amazing performances at the district swim meet. Advancing to regions on the girls team are- Kim Kulow - 50 & 100 free- Kim broke the team record in the 50 free getting 2nd in both events, Addison Blackburn advances in the 50 and 100 fly getting 5th in both events , Olive Norian- advances in the 200 free and 100 fly getting 6th in both events. All 3 relays advance to regions - 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, and the 400 free relay where they finished 2nd overall. On the boys side, Lloyd Gomez won the 100 breaststroke and got 2nd in the 100 fly, Reid Thompson finished 3rd in the 200 IM and 100 breast, Theo Lau finished 6th in the 100 fly and Lucian Chiang in the 100 breast- all advancing to Regions. The boys 200 Medley relay finished 2nd and the 400 free relay finished 4th - advancing to regions. Additionally- Myrah Baig finished 7th in the 100 back, Andy Fu finished 7th in the 100 breast, Dom Padilla finished 8th in the 100 back and Theo Lau finished 8th in the 200 IM. Additionally Georgii Kotov finished 2nd in diving. Super Congratulations to Lloyd Gomez who won Male Athlete of the meet. Finally, Coach North won District Female Coach of the Meet. Regions begin Feb 8 and end Feb 10 where your Bulldogs swimmers continue their journey to State.
Science Olympiad Success
The Austin High School Science Olympiad teams went to Seven Lakes High School for their invitational competition this past weekend. Out of 46 teams from Texas, our two teams scored these in their individual events:
4th Astronomy - Dezhou Gao and Anshul Mistry
3rd Chemistry Lab - Andy Wei and Monish Madhu
3rd Detector Building - Andy Wei and Aaron You
3rd Disease Detectives - Kevin Li and Anna Nguyen
2nd Dynamic Planet - Dezhou Gao and Anshul Mistry
2nd Ecology - Aaron You and Keya Huang
2nd Experimental Design - Aaron You, Anna Nguyen, and Ryan Ji
1st Flight - Rajan Parikh and Harith Safian
1st Forensics - Aaron You and Aiden Yang
3rd Geological Mapping - Dezhou Gao and Anshul Mistry
3rd Optics - Dhruv Patel and Keya Huang
2nd Robot Tour - Andy Wei and Harith Safian
3rd Robot Tour - Krish Patel and Aryan C.
4th Scrambler - Ayesha Murtaza and Hao Pham
2nd Wind Power - Andy Wei and Dhruv Patel
4th Wind Power - Hao Pham and Vihaan Praksh
1st Write it Do it - Dezhou Gao and Monish Madhu
4th Write it Do it - Nidhi Patel and Maryam Danish
Our A team placed **2nd overall!** and our B team placed **10th!** The teams are off to the regional competition next week at Rice University
Great Job Bulldogs!
AIME SUCCESS
Congratulations to two of our Bulldogs who qualified to take the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Exam. Way to go Bulldogs!!
Samar Parasmal-qualified 2 years in a row!
Ziduo Yi-qualified for 3 years in a row!
Feb. 3rd Choir Students compete at Region 13 High School UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest
Feb. 7th-10th Texas Music Educators Association Conference
All-State Choir Student Gracie Pugh will perform with the Texas All-State Treble Choir on Saturday, February 10th at 2:00 PM at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.
ART RODEO WINNERS
Rodeo Ribbons Winners
Langadi, Mihka
Lee, Kaitlyn
MuttaIsha
Pham, Abigail
Vidhya, Harini
Smith, Jesicca
Sturhan, Lillian
Lee, Jennifer
Elsiouf, Janna
Sugianto, Hana
Gu, Isabel
Faske, Russell
Jiang, Wenbei
Grace, Kim
Burke, Rachel
Zhao, Shupan
Fu, Amanda
Ho, Vy
Kalkattawi, Dalia
Lee, Chloe
liang, Catheryn
zeng, Emily
Liang, Maggie
alapati, Sriadithi
Lin, Qanya
Hooda, Jennah
DECA NEWS
Deca’s Competitive Events Program is aligned to the Business curriculum standards in our pathway programs. In this capacity our Deca students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge learned in the classroom to the real world activities in preparation for college and beyond. On January 13th your very own Austin Deca competed at the District level in Competitive Events for Deca CDC Competition held at Ridgepoint High School. Austin entered 133 students to compete against over 1500 participants from our district with 60 students advancing to the State Level to be held in February, where we will compete against students from the State of Texas for chance at Nationals . Please congratulate the following students for their hard work and those continuing on to State the best of luck to reach the National stage.
District Competitors
AHS 3D students Outstanding Achievements at Preliminary 3D Rodeo Online Judging
Congratulations to Ms. Sheikh and her Art students for their success at the Rodeo! Great job!!
From Ms. Sheikh:
I am thrilled to share the incredible success our students achieved on the Preliminary 3D Rodeo judging online. We submitted 7 outstanding pieces of 3D sculpture representing AHS, and I am pleased to announce that 5 of our entries secured a place among the top 10 finalists in the high school division!
In addition, we are excited to announce that two of our students have also earned spots in the Rodeo's Quick Draw contest. Only 25 students are selected from the Houston and surrounding areas for this competition, where they have 50 minutes to draw a still life placed in front of them. They will be competing next Sunday, Jan 21. Quick Draw Contest Participants: Leo Gu & Jessica Smith
Please join me in congratulating our students on their weeks of hard work and dedication to their pieces. Let's wish those continuing on to the HLSR judging the best of luck! I could not be more proud of our Bulldog artists.
Our students exhibited exceptional talent, receiving the following awards:
Jayden Stephen - "Dead Route" - Blue Ribbon
Emma Xu - "Osedax" - Blue Ribbon
These finalists will advance to the judging at NRG on Friday, Jan 19:
Jessica Smith - "A Mad Dash”
Fnu Usaydullah- “ The Final Ride”
Jennah Hooda - “Boundless Freedom”
Naina Dhanashetty -“Cavorting Companions”
Leo Gu- “The Wind on the Cows Back" -
Academic All-State Recognition
Congratulations to our AMAZING Bulldogs who made Academic All-State! Please help us with shouting them out!! Great work DAWGS!!
AHS CAMPUS ACTIVITIES & CAMPUS INFO.
YEARBOOK SALES
Order your yearbook today at myhjyearbook.com !
We will sell out and the deadline is approaching.
Don’t miss out.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Whole Child Health Initiative
Description: As a part of the Whole Child Health Initiative, Fort Bend ISD is excited to present our parent webinar: “Study Habits & Test Anxiety”. The webinar will equip parents and caregivers with research-based strategies and tools to help students be better prepared for school, state, and national assessments. Information about test anxiety symptoms, current district and campus-based support systems to address it, and best practices regarding how to lower and/or minimize it will also be shared. The parent webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 6 p.m. Whole Child Health focuses on Whole Child Health, is aligned with FBISD's Profile of a Graduate, and is committed to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional, and physical health of all students in FBISD.
Links: Parent Webinar - Study Habits & Test Anxiety; FBISD Whole Child Health Webpage
Group Leader Job Fair
Topic: Group Leader Job Fair
From: Extended Learning Dept. FBISD Ext Learning Website
Due Date: Job Fair on February 1, 2024, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Description: Extended Learning Department is hiring Group Leaders at various FBISD elementary campuses. Come interview for the position on February 1, 2024, from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at 550 Julie Rivers Dr. Suite 200, Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Links: We encourage you to apply as soon as possible by clicking on this link, Extended Learning Group Leader 2023 - 2024 - (2300033D).
Document: Group Leader Job Fair Flyer
Hosting A Foreign Exchange Student
Are you interested and willing to host a Foreign Exchange student? Please scan the QR Code below for more information.
Bookapalooza and PTA/PTO Sponsorship Information
Mark your calendars: We are excited to share the date and location of our 3rd Bookapalooza Book Conference for Pre-K – 12th grade students on Saturday, April 13 at Dulles Middle School from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Students will have opportunities to meet authors, illustrators, participate in a cosplay contest, play interactive games, hear featured speakers, and walk through our vendor fair. Among the various events we have planned, students will be able to buy books from the Scholastic book fair and create projects within our makerspace..
*Students under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Please share this information and the links provided below with your community, faculty, and student body. Don't miss the fun! We are looking for PTA/PTOs to sponsor Bookaplooza. Be sure to ask your PTA or PTO president if they are interested in purchasing a sponsorship. See the sponsorship link below for more details. Last year Baines PTO and Colony Meadows Elementary PTO sponsored this event to bring authentic reading experiences to our students and their families.
Reese CTE Student Job Opportunities
Happy Tuesday!
The Salon at Reese is looking for a student intern eager to learn and get work experience. Please share this PAID opportunity with your students. The requirements are:
- Must have their own transportation and valid ID
- Must be 16 years or older and a former /current Fort Bend CTE student
- Must upload transcripts
Students may apply here: https://aa210.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=230002F3&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago
AHS SPRING ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
2023-2024 BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE
2023-2024 GIRLS SOCCER SCHEDULE
ON-GOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
AHS TARDY POLICY
We officially started recording tardies for the 23-24 school year on Monday, August 21st. Please note: All students' tardies will result in the following consequences, so please encourage your child to arrive to all classes on time.
STUDENT DROP-OFF
Dear AHS Parents,
Welcome back to another Exciting Year at Austin High School, Home of The Bulldogs!!
We would like to share some information with you regarding Morning Student Drop-Off.
The best time to drop your student off at AHS with little to no traffic is usually between 7:00 AM and 7:15 AM. After 7:15 AM the traffic flow becomes heavy and students risk being late to 1st period.
Areas for Drop-Off: Front Circle and Student Parking Lot Area (Northside of the Building)
Please Do Not Attempt To Drop Your Student Off on The Bus Ramp Side of the Building, That is Not Allowed, this area is for School Vehicles and School Personnel Only!
Please Drive Safe and Have A Great Bulldog Day!!
STUDENT PARKING PERMITS
Seniors & Juniors:
As we return for the 2023-24 School Year, Senior students will have the opportunity to purchase Preferred Parking for $75; all other student parking (for both Seniors & Juniors) will cost $50.
To purchase parking, all seniors and juniors must have:
- Completed the online application
- A Valid Texas Driver's License
- Valid Insurance showing the student's name as an insured driver
- No outstanding fines on the AHS Fine List
- Must be on record as a Junior/Senior by August 2023
Seniors who have purchased their parking permits for the 2023-24 school year can come and pick them up on August 3 and August 4, 2023 in office 108 between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
Juniors can pick up their parking permits on August 7, 2023 in office 108 between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM and between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Students who don't pick up their permits before school starts should not drive to school until they have their permit!
To pick your permit up, you must bring:
- a copy of the 2023-24 Student Parking Rules & Regulations (signed by a parent or guardian); and
- a photocopy of your receipt.
TEXTBOOK REQUEST HAVE NOW CLOSED
Textbook Request:
Most textbooks are available online including resources and some accommodations to support learning. We highly encourage ALL students to utilize online textbooks. For students who want to request textbooks, please use the following link for the 23-24 school year.
If you have any questions, please see Ms. Masters or Ms. Udechukwu in suite 201.
LOCKER REQUEST
Free/reduced lunch Applications
Students and parents that might qualify for Free/reduced lunch please apply for free/reduced lunch. This will provide them with access to AP Test reduction, SAT/ACT fee waivers, reduced admissions applications for colleges etc.
COLLEGE BOARD ACCOMMODATIONS
Attention Students with Existing Documented Accommodations!
If you don’t already have College Board accommodations, and you want your 504/Special Education accommodations for AP, SAT, PSAT exams in the Spring semester, then please complete the attached consent form to request the accommodations from College Board. Send the completed form to Irvin Casely-Hayford, AP & SSD Coordinator, at Irvin.caselyhayford@fortbendisd.com.
For additional information, you may visit
https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/support/advice-students-families
REECE TECHNICAL SCHOOL INFO.
Parent Communication
Please review the information below. It provides important dates and times for transportation and Open House for the Reece Center.
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin Automatic Admission Policy
taa-2023-10-26-university-of-texas-at-austin-automatic-admission-policy.pdf146.89 KB
Subject:The University of Texas at Austin Automatic Admission Policy
Category:Automatic Admission
Next Steps: Share with high school junior-level students and their parents
Senate Bill 175, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, allows The University of Texas at Austin to limit automatic admission to 75 percent of the university’s enrollment capacity designated for first-time resident undergraduate students.
The University has determined that it will automatically admit all eligible summer/fall 2025 and spring 2026 freshman applicants who rank within the top 6% of their high school graduating classes. A letter from University President Jay C. Hartzell is attached to this correspondence.
This information should be shared with all high school junior-level students and their parents. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact Miguel Wasielewski, Vice Provost of Admissions at The University of Texas at Austin at (512) 475-6210..
23-24 FALL Clubs and Organizations
All clubs and organizations that have been approved for the 23-24 fall semester are listed below in alpha order with basic club information. We encourage all students to join a club/organization that aligns with your interest or join to learn something new. If your club was unable to locate a sponsor or not approved, please see the list of clubs that may align with your interest for the 23-24 fall semester. There will be another opportunity to join or create more at the start of 2nd semester.
Questions? Email Ms. Udechukwu -adaun.udechukwu@fortbendisd.com
About US
Email: adaun.udechukwu@fortbendisd.com
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/ahs
Location: 3434 Pheasant Creek Drive, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-2000
Twitter: @AHSBulldogs